Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-04-02

key, Incn sne leaned painting against the
wall and listened to the movements Of the
trapped burglar.
For few moments there was perfect
stiffness as If he were trying to realize tho
meaning of that click OF the lock; then
she heard him go to the door and turn the
handle, first softly, then louder and louder.
Maud clasped her hands tightly together,
feeling almost hysterical between laughter
and nervousness. Then the rafting stopped
and a voice said slowly.
"Miss Estabrookl Are Won still therer'
''Yes,'' answered Maud, holding her
breath.
'You are not aware that you havs
locked me in9'
Maud hesitated for an instant. Bat
since the explanation must come, 1t might
as well come ut once. eyes, she
answered, clearly; 81 did it intention
ally,n
'In-deedl' The blended accent Of this
word made her feel hysterical again. "Per-
haps you would not mind telling me why
you did itsn
because YOU ere burglar" answered
the girl, concisely.
There was an indistinct mntter which
might or might not have been an expletive.
Then, after silence, the voice inquired,
quite formally, "And might | ask what
you mean TO do with me?
''Keep you shut up here until my broth
cr or the gardner comes back; and
then'--
eyes, aud them
''Then, y replied Maud with a sudden
inspiration, twe will let you go, II you
will go peaceably,n
There was a sound Of suppressed laugh
ter at this. Then the voice rejoined
politely: "Thanks. win give you any
assurances you require"
Maud went down to the dining room,
where she hnsied herself in packing a
basket After this, returning up stairs,
she called to her prisoner: "Mr.-Mr.
Folliottr'
''Yes?''
''If you win open the closet you win find
rope Please LET it down and we viii
send you up some upper"
The stranger obeyed, and a well filled
basket was soon lifted through tho win
dow into his room Maud Hospitality
hoped he had everything he wished.
'"Thanks; not quite was the delib
crate answer. ''If / might ask for {
couple of Toms cigarsS"
"Tom, indeed The wretch!" com
mented Toms sister to herself Then
aloud; "Oh, certainly, if you will let tn
basket down again
At this point Mrs. Estabrook remon
strated Really, Maud, that ds to-
muchp'
ooh, mamma, anything to keep hin
quiet and good tempered" said Maud
"And you know he was to have taken tel
with us"
"But if he should burn the house dowi
smoking themY' anxiously suggested he
mother.
"Well, perhaps it's safer to give,hin
| something to use his matches WITH an
swered Maud, with o mastery stroke o
logic. "And they always do hav
| matches,' she concluded, indefinitely
| Her reasoning carried the day, so tn
| cigars went up and the rope came down
| for this was q point on which Maud wa
lrm. She had no intention of leavinl
chat rope in their burglarious visitor
| possession.
| The evening waned, and still there wa
| no sign Of Peters return. The two ladie
| did not dream of sleeping but kept watcl
| throughout the night in the room adjoin
ing that of their prisoner, bracing them
| selves with strong tea for their task.
was weary work, however, and the min
utes crept slowly into the small hours.
| The hall clock had just struck the quar-
| ter before 2, when the silence of tn
house was disturbed by little soun'
which seemed preternaturally loud +
| their strained ears. Mrs. Estabrook sa
| erect to ksten, while Maud turned up tn
| glimmering lamp. Again came the sound
| slight but distinct, scratch, scratch--flle
file"
| maud, what Is that noise?' said Mrs
Estabrook, with the calmness of despair
siaud declined to commit herself prema
turely.
| MAUD" said her mother, cts dow
1T the piazza window. It's--it's a con
federate of that man in therei Oh, don
tell mel known
Maud frowned thoughtfully He
mothers idea seemed only too plausible.
| "Hc'll get in and let the other one out,
pursued Mrs. Estabrook, breathlessly
''and then they'll go through the hous
and rob and murder US all, Oh, dear
Oh-hp'
''Don't, mamma, dear pray don't,
entreated Maud, as the poor lady, over
whelmed by her own picture, shove
signs Of becoming historical, and uttere
several small screams. Upon this the oC
cupant of the next room, who hithert
had given no sign Of life, began to knoc
on the door between the two chambers
Maud drew near, and the following cor
versation took place:
''Miss Estabrookn
eyes,
''Excrse me, but is anything wrongPn
Mud hesitated Mrs. Estabrook NEAR
time had checked herself, and was hold
ing her breath to listen. Receiving n
answer, he presently spoke again.
what is that noise hear down stairs?
eve don't know" said Maud; ''but''--
"But what? Is that what is alarmin
yc lY'
Maud considered. eve are afraid it /
IA burglar"
"Whatl Another" exclaimed the strar
ger. Then he checked himself. "Don
you think you'd better send me to dispos
Of him? he suggested, with an admirabl
assumption Of the holiness of innocence.
''Maudr' sharply protested Mrs. Este
brook.
"Ono moment, mamma" rejoined lie
daughter, ~ am not sure" She turne
to the door again. "You are quite Gel
tain he is not an-an--an assistant {